what is a level 2 trauma center

A Level 2 trauma center is a medical facility that provides comprehensive trauma care and supplements the clinical expertise of a Level 1 institution. It provides 24-hour availability of all essential specialties, personnel, and equipment, and often possesses critical care services capable of caring for almost all injury types indefinitely. A Level 2 trauma center initiates the treatment of all trauma patients and has key components that include 24-hour access to general surgeons, availability of anesthesiology, radiology, emergency medicine, neurosurgery, and orthopedic surgery, continuing education for all team members involved in trauma care, and quality assessment and improvement programs. Level 2 trauma centers usually provide more comprehensive care than lower levels, but they do not have the research and publication expectations of a Level 1 center.